Blow moulding machine with blow mould changing robot with additional treatment function

ABSTRACT

A system for transforming plastic parisons to plastic containers with a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable station support disposed at least indirectly on a stationary base support on which a plurality of transforming stations is disposed. The transforming stations each have blow mould devices which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons can be transformed into the plastic containers and these blow mould devices are each disposed on blow mould supports. The system has a changing device which is suitable and intended in order, in a changing mode of the system, at least to remove the blow mould devices from their blow mould supports and/or to dispose blow mould devices on the blow mould supports, and wherein, during a further mode of operation which differs from the changing mode, this changing device is suitable and intended for carrying out a treatment operation on at least one working element intended for the system.

The present invention relates to a system for transforming plasticparisons into plastic containers. Such systems have been known for along time from the prior art. In this case heated plastic parisons areusually transformed by the application of compressed air into plasticcontainers such as plastic bottles. For this purpose a plurality oftransforming stations or blow stations are usually disposed on arotatable carrier. In this case these blow stations each have blowmoulds which have a hollow space within which the plastic parisons aretransformed into the plastic containers. Thus these blow moulds have anegative of the container to be produced.

If the system is to be changed over to other containers, the individualblow moulds must be replaced. In the prior art these blow moulds areremoved individually from the respective transforming stations. In thiscase an operator takes the individual blow mould devices out andreplaces them with new blow mould devices which are intended to form thecorresponding new containers. Therefore the changing process lasts arelatively long time and an operator is also necessary. Furthermore theuse of a changing device or a changing robot is known from the internalprior art. However, such a changing device is relatively complicated andalso expensive.

The object of the present invention therefore is to use such changingdevices more efficiently, in order to use them in a more economicallyviable manner. This is achieved according to the invention by thesubject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments andmodifications are the subject of the subordinate claims.

A system according to the invention for transforming plastic parisonsinto plastic containers has a transport device which transports theplastic parisons along a predefined transport path. In this case thetransport device has a movable station support disposed at leastindirectly on a stationary base support on which a plurality oftransforming stations is disposed, wherein these transforming stationseach have blow mould devices which each form cavities within which theplastic parisons can be transformed into the plastic containers. In thiscase these blow mould devices are each disposed on blow mould supports.These blow mould supports are preferably components of the individualtransforming stations and thus are preferably likewise indirectlydisposed on the station support.

According to the invention the system has a changing device which issuitable and intended in order, in a changing mode of the system, atleast to remove the blow mould devices from their blow mould supportsand/or to dispose blow mould devices on the blow mould supports.Furthermore, during a further mode of operation which differs from thechanging mode, this changing device is suitable and intended forcarrying out a treatment operation on at least one working elementintended for the system. However, it would also be conceivable for thechanging device to be used for changing further components, such as forexample stretching rods, transfer starwheels and the like.

Therefore according to the invention it is proposed that the changingdevice serves not only for changing blow moulds, but in particular atdifferent times can also undertake other tasks, such as for example thecleaning or maintenance of components such as for example blow moulds.Thus for example it is possible for the changing device, which may be inparticular, but not exclusively, a robot, to be able for example tocarry out cleaning and maintenance work, for example on dismantled blowmoulds during the container production.

This is advantageous in particular when frequent changes of blow mouldsmust be carried out. As mentioned, the changing device is preferably asemi-automatic and preferably fully automatic robot. However, a manualchanging device may also be provided. Thus it would be possible forexample that a so-called manipulator is used instead of a robot. Amanipulator compensates for the dead weight of a workpiece to be moved,such as for instance a blow mould, in order to simplify the operation.The operator can guide the manipulator which has the mould gripperfastened on its end. Such a change by means of a manipulator is notautomatically carried out or is carried out without an operator. It ispointed out that the configuration of the changing device as amanipulator can also be used irrespective of whether the changing devicealso carries out other activities outside the changing mode.

The applicant therefore reserves the right also to claim protection forthe embodiment of a changing device as a so-called manipulator or acomponent to be operated by persons. Such a manipulator has lowerproduction costs by comparison with a robot.

It is also pointed out that the changing device can also be used fortasks which do not directly concern the transforming device, forinstance for cleaning operations on filling elements of a filler.

In addition there is usually also no need for a demarcation zone inorder to accommodate this manipulator or robot. In addition, thetechnology for such a manipulator is simpler and more cost-effective andis suitable for example for countries with lower technical standards.

Nevertheless, however, such a manipulator also makes it possible toreplace the blow mould device as a set, that is to say in particularincluding all the parts of the blow mould. Thus here too a quick andergonomic change is possible.

Moreover, however, the further components of such a changing device canremain the same, such as for example the moulds, the magazine, the blowstation and the actuator. Such a manipulator offers the advantage thatit can be converted without great expense and in particular can also beaimed at customers who require a quick change without an automaticchanging device.

For equipping a magazine with the blow moulds, the blow moulds can forexample be pushed as a set once only by an operator into correspondingopenings. Since such a mould set of a blow mould preferably has nohandles or the like and the three components (mould halves and base) arenot fixed to one another, this is generally difficult to carry outwithout a suitable tool. For this task the operator can use a simpletool which simulates the gripper head of the robot in order to grip themould set. A secure hold is preferably ensured by means of a form andforce fit connection.

In a further advantageous embodiment, therefore, the changing device hasa gripping device for gripping the blow mould device, wherein thisgripping device is movable in at least two different directions.Advantageously this gripping device can swivel about at least threedifferent axes. It can advantageously swivel about six axes.

The gripping device is preferably disposed on an arm, wherein this armis likewise movable. Advantageously the gripping device can be separatedfrom this arm, particularly preferably automatically. In this case it isadditionally possible for media connections also to be separatedautomatically.

Due to the invention it is possible, in the specific mode of operationand in particular during the production of the blow moulding machine forthe changing device, to carry out an activity necessary for the nextchanging operation, for example cleaning of the blow moulds or loadingof the magazine.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has at leastone treatment device for treating the working element. This may forexample be a cleaning element which serves for cleaning said workingelement. This cleaning element can for example have a nozzle whichserves for supplying a surface of the working element with a cleaningand or sterilising medium. In addition the treatment device can alsohave a sterilising device, for instance a supply device which suppliesthe working element with a sterilising medium or also a radiation devicewhich exposes the working element to radiation in order to sterilise it.

Therefore the above-mentioned mode of operation is preferably aproduction mode of the system. Thus here it is proposed that during aworking operation of the installation, that is to say during anoperation in which containers are manufactured, the changing deviceperforms other activities simultaneously.

In a further advantageous embodiment the treatment operation is selectedfrom a group of treatment operations which includes cleaning operations,maintenance operations, sterilising operations, combinations thereof andthe like.

In a further advantageous embodiment the working element is selectedfrom a group of working elements which includes blow moulds, grippingelements, holding mandrels for holding the containers, stretching rods,blow moulding dies, filling valves and the like. In a further preferredembodiment said working element likewise serves for treatment of thecontainers. Thus this may be one of the above-mentioned working elementswhich for example grips the container or treats it in some other way,such as for instance filling it, expanding it in the longitudinaldirection (stretching rod), or the like.

In a further advantageous embodiment the treatment device can bereplaced by the gripping device. This means that both the grippingdevice and also the treatment device can be disposed on the same arm. Inthis case it is possible for the gripping device to be replaced by thetreatment device or vice versa, in order to carry out the respectiveoperations. In other words it is possible for a mould gripper on a robotarm to be replaced by a treatment device. However, it would be possiblefor both a mould gripper and also a treatment device to be disposed onthe robot arm, and these can for example be exchanged for one another bya specific movement. Thus for example it is possible for the changingdevice to set down a gripping device and attach a workingdevice—preferably autonomously—to the corresponding interface in orderto carry out this action.

Cleaning of the blow mould devices preferably takes place by means ofthe changing device.

In a further preferred embodiment the changing device places the mouldsfor cleaning in an assembled state into a cleaning system.

In a further advantageous embodiment a corresponding cleaning systemdismantles the assembled blow mould devices in order to facilitateall-round cleaning.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is also possible for thegripping device to be connected to the changing device or the robotmechanically and in particular without operator intervention (preferablyform-fit). Advantageously, during or at the time of this connectionmedia such as for example compressed air and control signals can besimultaneously connected.

It is also possible that for manual loading and unloading of a magazinewith the blow mould devices a handling tool is used which is designedaccording to the principle of a smooth gripper.

In a further advantageous embodiment it is also possible for thechanging device to have elements which on insertion of a blow mould andalso preferably on removal of a blow mould device connect or disconnect,preferably automatically, media which are necessary for temperatureregulation of the blow mould device.

In this case it is possible for the changing device to change a gripperhead for connecting or disconnecting these media.

In a further advantageous embodiment it would also be possible for mediato be connected or disconnected during an insertion movement of the blowmould device into the blow mould support by the changeover device.

In this case such connections are preferably oriented so that aninsertion movement and also the connecting and disconnecting movementtake place substantially parallel to a stretching rod of the system. Inthis way the connection and disconnection operations are made easier.

In a further advantageous embodiment the system has an operating devicefor operating the changing device. This operating device advantageouslyhas a touch screen and preferably also a robot controller. Preferablythese said devices are used by a plurality of machines and they arepreferably attached to one another via a standard interface.

In a further advantageous embodiment the gripping device is disposed onan arm which can swivel about at least one predetermined swivel axis. Inthis way the capability of movement of the gripping device is increased.

In a further advantageous embodiment the system has a housing which atleast partially surrounds at least the station support and the blowmould device and the changing device is preferably disposed outside thishousing. This housing also serves in particular as protection for theoperator. However, in order that the changing device can also carry outother activities within the mode of operation, the changing device ispreferably disposed outside this housing. In this case the changingdevice preferably has opening and closing devices which can open thishousing, in particular in order to replace blow moulds after a workingoperation. Thus it is preferably possible that the changing device opensand closes the machine protection of the blow moulding machine, inparticular for the mould changing operation. In this case thisprotection region preferably has an opening element which can be grippedby the gripping device of the changing device for opening and closingthe protection region.

Thus for example a counterpart which can be gripped by the grippingdevice can be disposed on a door of the protection region.

In a further advantageous embodiment the system also has a protectionregion for the changing device. This protection region can at leastpartially surround the changing device during the change of blow mouldand can also surround the changing device at least intermittentlyoutside the changing mode.

Furthermore the present invention is directed to a method for operatinga transforming device for transforming plastic parisons into plasticcontainers, wherein in a working operation of the system the plasticparisons are transported by means of a plurality of transformingstations along a predetermined transport path and are expanded byapplication of a flowable and in particular gaseous medium to form theplastic containers. Furthermore for expanding the plastic parisons blowmould devices are used, in the interior of which the plastic parisonsare expanded to form the plastic containers. Furthermore in a changingmode of the system at least one of the blow mould devices of the systemis removed and/or one of the blow mould devices is disposed on a blowmould support of the system.

According to the invention, for changing the blow mould devices achanging device is used which has a gripping device for gripping theblow mould device, wherein in a further mode of operation this changingdevice carries out a further treatment operation. Advantageously thisfurther mode of operation is a working operation of the system, in whichplastic parisons are also expanded to form plastic containers.

Additionally or alternatively it would also be possible for the changingdevice to be designed as a manual changing device, in particular as amanipulator. By means of such a manipulator the user can also, asmentioned above, carry out manual changing operations, although for thispurpose he has to employ significantly lower forces than for a purelymanual changing operation.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device is designed inthe manner described above, wherein for example preferably at leastintermittently a gripping device of the changeover device is replaced bya treatment device for treatment. Advantageously this replacementlikewise takes place automatically.

As mentioned above, the treatment operation is preferably a cleaningand/or sterilisation operation. In this case, as mentioned above, notonly can a blow mould device be treated, but also other elements such asfor instance stretching rods, blow moulding dies, filling devices andthe like.

In a further advantageous embodiment the gripping device is disposed onan arm which can swivel about a predetermined swivel axis. This arm isalso designated below as a second arm because of its arrangement in thechanging device. In this case the gripping device itself can in turn bedisposed so that it can swivel or rotate on this arm.

In a further advantageous embodiment the swiveling (second) arm isdisposed on a further arm which can swivel about a predetermined secondswivel axis. This further arm is also designated below as a first armbecause of its arrangement in the changing device. In this case thefirst swivel axis is advantageously not parallel to the second swivelaxis and particularly preferably is oblique in the mathematical sense.Two degrees of freedom of movement of the gripping device can already beachieved by these two axes.

Advantageously the gripping device is disposed so as to swivel on thesecond arm. This swiveling arrangement facilitates a further degree offreedom of movement. Advantageously the gripping device can swivel abouttwo axes with respect to the second arm, for example about an axis whichextends in the direction of this arm and also about an axisperpendicular thereto.

Thus the gripping device can advantageously pivot with respect to atleast two axes which are disposed perpendicular relative to one anotheron the first arm.

The gripping device can preferably swivel with respect to at least fouraxes, preferably with respect to at least five swivel axes andpreferably with respect to at least six swivel axes.

Preferably at least one of these (geometric) swivel axes is stationary.This stationary swivel axis is preferably oriented vertically.Preferably at least one axis is always disposed in a spatially fixedplane, i.e. independently of a position of the changing device and/orthe gripping device. This spatially fixed plane is preferably ahorizontal plane. Preferably at least two axes are always disposed in aspatially fixed plane, i.e. independently of a position of the changingdevice and/or the gripping device.

Preferably at least a pair of axes are provided which are alwaysperpendicular to one another, i.e. independently of a position of thechanging device and/or the gripping device. The first arm is preferablymovable with respect to these two swivel axes relative to an (inparticular stationary) support.

Preferably at least one further pair of axes are provided which arealways perpendicular to one another, i.e. independently of a position ofthe changing device and/or the gripping device. The second arm ispreferably movable with respect to these two swivel axes relative to thefirst arm.

Preferably at least one further pair of axes are provided which arealways perpendicular to one another, i.e. independently of a position ofthe changing device and/or the gripping device. The gripping device ispreferably movable with respect to these two swivel axes relative to thesecond arm.

The arrangement described here of the (geometric) swivel axes issuitable in special manner in order to facilitate a substantial freedomof movement of the gripping device.

Preferably at least two swivel axes are always disposed parallel to oneanother, i.e. independently of a position of the changing device and/orthe gripping device.

In a further advantageous embodiment the gripping device has an engagingmeans in order to grip at least one projection disposed on the blowmould device. Advantageously the gripping device has two engaging meansin order to grip two projections disposed on the blow mould device. Inthis case such a projection can be disposed on each of the two blowmould parts and the gripping device can engage behind this during thetransport in order thus to be able to hold the blow mould devicetogether in its entirety.

In a further advantageous embodiment the second arm can swivel withrespect to the first arm about at least two swivel axes. These swivelaxes are advantageously perpendicular to one another.

In a further advantageous embodiment the gripping device can beconnected positively and/or form-fit to the blow mould device. In thisway secure gripping and transporting of the blow mould devices may beenabled by means of the changing device, wherein transporting at higherspeeds is also possible.

In a further advantageous embodiment the gripping device has a passivegripping element. This is understood in particular to mean that the blowmould device is not held by an active gripping movement of the grippingelement, for instance by a clamping movement, but merely by a correctpositioning of the gripping element or the gripping device relative tothe blow mould device to be transported. Thus in particular an elementof the gripping device can engage behind a section of the blow moulddevice.

In addition it is also possible that the gripping device has a magneticor magnetisable element in order to hold the blow mould device. Thus thegripping device could for instance have an electromagnet which can beactivated as soon as the gripping device is located in a predeterminedposition relative to the blow mould device. Also a magnetic hold betweenparts of the blow mould device could be initiated by the grippingdevice.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has a controldevice which carries out a removal of the blow mould device from theblow mould supports and/or an arrangement of the blow mould device onthe blow mould supports both in a force-controlled and a path-controlledmanner. In this case detecting devices can be provided which detect amovement, in particular of the gripping device, and detecting devicescan also be provided for measuring forces.

Due to this control it is also possible to define one or more referencepoints on the blow station and/or the magazine which can be approached.In this way the exact geometric position of the blow mould device canalso be determined at any time during transport. Furthermore it ispreferable for the gripping device to be deflected in a plurality ofdegrees of freedom, for example in an X, Y and Z direction, inparticular in order to equalise inaccuracies of positioning. In thiscase, however, it would also be possible that one or more of thesedegrees of freedom can be electromechanically blocked out. In this way afaster working operation of the system can be achieved.

Advantageously a detecting device is provided which can detect theposition or a deflection with respect to these degrees of freedom,preferably for example by electric interrogation.

In a further advantageous embodiment the gripping device has activegripping elements which produce a positive and form-fit engagement withthe blow mould device. In this case it is possible for the grippingdevice to produce a positively engaged connection between the two sideparts of the blow mould device and furthermore preferably a form-fitconnection between the said blow mould halves and the base mould. Thissecond connection to the base mould can be achieved by means ofcorresponding engaging elements of the side parts and/or the base mould.

In a further advantageous embodiment the system, in particular thegripping device, has centring elements in order to enable exactpositioning of the gripping device on the blow mould device or on thetransforming station. These centring elements can have lead-in chamfers,for example conical lead-in chamfers, by which during the changingoperation the gripping device engages in corresponding elements on thetransforming station or contacts these corresponding elements. Thesecorresponding elements are advantageously disposed on a mould support.In this way the gripping device can be positioned relative to the blowmould device to be transported.

Furthermore the present invention is directed to a method for operatinga transforming device for transforming plastic parisons into plasticcontainers. In this case in a working operation of the system theplastic parisons are transported by means of a plurality of transformingstations along a predetermined transport path and are expanded byapplication of a flowable and in particular a gaseous medium to form theplastic containers. Furthermore for expanding the plastic parisons blowmould devices are used, in the interior of which the plastic parisonsare expanded to form the plastic containers. Furthermore in a changingmode at least one of the blow mould devices of the system is removedand/or one of the blow mould devices is disposed on a blow mould supportof the system.

According to the invention, for changing the blow mould devices apreferably automatically operating changing device is used which has agripping device for gripping the blow mould device, wherein thisgripping device is movable in at least two different directions.Preferably the gripping device can swivel with respect to at least threeswivel axes, preferably with respect to at least four swivel axes.

A changing device of the type described above is preferably used.

This changing device preferably has at least one changing arm which canswivel and is disposed at least indirectly on the base support. It istherefore proposed to dispose a changing device, in particular in theform of a changing robot, directly in the region of the system fortransforming. Therefore this system advantageously has a base support,such as for instance a machine frame, on which the station support isalso disposed. The changing robot is also in turn disposed on this basesupport, so that it can be integrated as a whole into the machine.

A substantially indirect arrangement is understood to mean that thechanging device can be disposed directly on the base support, but it isalso conceivable that the changing device is disposed on a furtherelement, for instance an intermediate support, which in turn is disposedon the base support.

Thus an integration of the changing device or of the robot into themachine is proposed. The blow mould device is advantageously ofmulti-part construction and has at least two side parts and a base part.In operation these three parts form the said hollow space for expandingthe plastic parisons. Advantageously at least two parts and particularlypreferably all three parts of this blow mould device can be locked withone another, so that the blow mould in its entirety can be removed fromthe machine or from the blow mould support. Thus the blow mould supportis suitable to receive different blow mould devices. In this case itwould be possible that the blow mould device itself is also disposed bymeans of support shells on the blow mould support.

Advantageously the blow mould supports can be moved and in particularcan swivel with respect to one another. In this case in a workingoperation the blow mould supports can be swiveled apart by apredetermined swivel angle, in order to introduce plastic parisonsand/or in order to remove finished containers. In this case largeraperture angles are preferably possible for the changing mode.

In a further advantageous embodiment the transforming stations each havestretching rods which can be introduced into the plastic parisons inoperation in order to expand them in the longitudinal direction.Advantageously the individual transforming devices also have applicationdevices which in particular have blow moulding nozzle which in operationsupply the plastic parisons with a free-flowing and in particular agaseous medium. In this case it would be possible that also other partsof the transforming stations are replaced, such as in particular thesaid application device or blow moulding dies and/or the stretchingrods.

Advantageously the station support is a rotatable support, such as inparticular a blow wheel. The individual transforming stations arepreferably disposed on an external circumference of this rotatablesupport. Thus in the working operation the transforming stations aremoved along a circular path.

Advantageously the system has a driving device for moving the stationsupport and in this case the driving device preferably enables both acontinuous movement of the station support and also a cyclical movementof the station support, which thus has rest phases in each case betweenmovements. Advantageously this type of movement is adjustable as afunction of a mode of operation. In a working operation the stationsupport is preferably moved continuously and preferably cyclically in achanging mode. In this case a movement of this station support can alsobe co-ordinated with movements of the changing devices. The stationsupport is advantageously a blow wheel.

The procedure according to the invention makes possible a fullyautomatic changing operation, in particular by means of an industrialrobot. Advantageously, in particular in a changing mode, the blow moulddevice can be locked fully automatically, or the individual elements ofthe blow mould devices can be fastened to one another. Thus the changingdevice is preferably suitable for gripping or removing the complete blowmould device, that is to say the at least three components thereoftogether. Advantageously after the gripping of the blow mould device acorresponding mould lock can be deactivated. In a further stage thechanging device can place the mould unit in a storage device, such as amagazine.

Consequently the changing device can insert a new mould unit or a newblow mould device into a blow mould support and (preferably) lock thenew blow mould device with the blow mould support.

Then the station support can be moved along by a position in order toreplace a further blow mould device. Thus in particular a fullyautomatic operation can be carried out in which no user is necessary.

In a further advantageous embodiment the device has a housing which atleast surrounds the station support in the circumferential directionthereof. In this case in principle the complete blow mould device and/orthe changing device can be disposed within a housing, wherein thishousing can also have a protective function.

The changing device is preferably integrated directly into the machineand can for example be attached to a base mount. In a furtheradvantageous embodiment the changing device as a whole can be moved in aspace surrounded by the housing. In this situation it is possible in anoperational state for the changing device to be completely integratedinto the machine and so for example is not even visible from theexterior and in particular does not disrupt the operation of thetransforming device. In this case it is possible for a casing of thehousing also serves as a protective device for the changing device orthe robot. Thus in the working operation the said changing device isdisposed inside the housing.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has a firstcontrol device for controlling a removal movement of the blow moulddevices and/or a feeding or arranging movement for arrangement of theblow mould devices on the blow mould supports and the system preferablyalso has a second control device for controlling a blow mouldingoperation, wherein the first control device and the second controldevice co-operate at least partially and/or at least intermittently. Inparticular these two control devices co-operate during a blow mouldchanging operation. Thus during a changing operation the same movementswhich are also necessary in the working operation can also be used forthe changing operation, such as for example the transport movement ofthe transforming stations, the opening and closing of the blow mouldsupport and the like.

In the changing operation the blow mould supports can likewise be openedin order to be able to remove the blow mould device. Thus for examplethe second control device can effect opening of the blow mould supportand as a function of this the first control device can effect a removalof the blow mould devices. Also in this way a fully automatic change ofthe blow moulds is possible. Thus the controller of the changing devicepreferably interacts with the control device of the transforming machineor blow moulding machine.

In a further preferred embodiment the changing device has a firstcontrol device for controlling a removal movement of the blow moulddevices and/or the arranging movement for arrangement of the blow moulddevice on the blow mould supports and the system also has a secondcontrol device for controlling a blow moulding operation, wherein onecontrol device is integrated into the other control device.

In particular the control of the changing device is integrated into acontrol of the system or blow moulding machine. Thus it would bepossible that the changing device is designed as a module which can alsobe integrated into the blow moulding machine by control engineering, forexample after fitting together or connecting by control engineering.Thus it would also be possible for a changing device to be retrofittedto already existing systems. These control devices can be configured insuch a way that a protection region is extended during a changingoperation. In a working operation the changing device can be located ina rest position in which it does not pose any danger, and in which italso does not hinder operation of the machine.

In the changing operation the changing device is also active, so thatthose regions in respect of which entry could be dangerous for the userin some circumstances dangerous, must be extended. Thus it isconceivable that protection regions modified in the context of thechanging operation are also shut off for the user or at least madediscernible.

In this case it would be possible in the context of the changingoperation for additional protective elements to be actuated, so that thesafety of the operator can be increased.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has at leastone gripping device for gripping the blow mould devices. This may be agripping device which grips the blow mould device in its entirety. Inthis case it would be possible for media required on the gripping deviceand/or electrical signals to be guided through regions of the changingdevices, such as for example axles or swivel arms. It would also bepossible for such connections to be guided via rotary feedthroughs, forexample on the axes of the changing devices.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has at leastone detecting device for detecting at least one force acting on anelement of the changing device. In particular external forces, which forexample act on a changing arm which removes the blow mould devices, canact in this way. Thus in particular the above-mentioned control devicecan be designed in such a way that it can react to external forces, forexample during defined operations such as setting down or picking up ablow mould device, it can deflect the changing device from a desiredposition (Softfloat). This generally involves a detecting device whichcan react to physical actions or can detect such actions, such as forinstance a torque, forces, impulses or the like. In this way a fastreaction of the changing device is possible.

However, the changing device preferably moves within a limited workingrange. This means that in particular the removal and delivery movementfor the blow mould devices takes place in a limited working range. Inreaction to the above-mentioned external forces a position can deviatefrom this working range. Otherwise, however, this defined working rangeis preferably maintained, in particular during a mould change.

In this case it is advantageously possible that the working range of thechanging device is limited from the point of view of safety and inparticular mechanically. Such a delimitation would be possible bydifferent measures, for instance by light barriers, which detect anincorrect or excessive movement of the changing device and consequentlyeffect either a return or an emergency stop of the changing device. Inaddition, however, a delimitation of the working range by mechanicalelements, such as for example stops, would also be possible.

In addition it is also preferably possible for a working range of thechanging device to be checked from the point of view of safety andelectrically or also from the control point of view. In this case it isin particular possible that this working range is (further) restricted,deviating from a maximum possible working range.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has a serialand/or parallel kinematics with at least three movement axes. In afurther advantageous embodiment the changing device has a serial and/orparallel kinematics with at least three movement axes.

In this way a very high freedom of movement of the changing device or ofa gripping element of the changing device is made possible. The blowmould devices can therefore also be removed from their blow mouldsupports or delivered thereto in a different manner depending upon theactual situation.

In this case it is possible for the system to have an operating devicein order to control the changing device or the gripping arm. This devicemay for example be a manual operating device. However it would also bepossible for the changing device to be controlled by means of devicessuch as for example smartphones.

In this case control by such an operating device is advantageous inparticular in the setup mode, that is to say when delivering new blowmould devices.

Furthermore the present invention is directed to a method for operatinga transforming device for transforming plastic parisons into plasticcontainers. In this case in a working operation of the system theplastic parisons are transported by means of a plurality of transformingstations along a predetermined transport path and are expanded byapplication of a flowable and in particular a gaseous medium to form theplastic containers. Furthermore for expanding the plastic parisons blowmould devices are used, in the interior of which the plastic parisonsare expanded to form the plastic containers. In this case in a changingmode at least one of the blow mould devices of the system is removedand/or one of the blow mould devices is disposed on a blow mould supportof the system.

According to the invention a changing device disposed on the system isused for changing the blow mould devices. Therefore it is also proposedin terms of the method that such changes of blow mould are carried outby means of a changing robot disposed on the system or integratedtherein.

In a further preferred method, in the working operation the transformingstations are transported along a circumferential transport path, and inthe changing operation, in a predetermined defined position of therespective transforming station from which the blow mould device is tobe removed, the blow mould devices are removed with respect to thecircumferential transport path. It is therefore proposed that in theworking operation the transforming stations revolve, as is known in theprior art. For the individual changing operation, however, it isproposed that this takes place on at least one precisely defined stationwhich in particular is also located in a sphere of action of thechanging device. In other words the removal position on a blow wheel isadvantageously always identical. In this case it is possible, during theproduction or the working operation, for the changing device to beoriented in such a way that it can be disposed inside a blow mouldingmachine protection region or housing.

With regard to the control device it is conceivable that by means of twoindependent co-ordinate systems this control device controls thesequence of movements of the changing device or of the robot. In thiscase a co-ordinate system is preferably placed at the removal or entryposition of the blow mould device to the transforming station or theblow mould supports. A further co-ordinate system can be located in theregion of a receiving device or a magazine in which the blow moulddevices are set down.

However, it is possible for the positions of the receiving points of theblow mould devices on the receiving device or the magazine relative tothe co-ordinate system thereof to remain unchanged independently of thereceiving device and/or for the positions of the receiving points to belocated equidistantly with respect to this co-ordinate system. In thiscase it is possible to provide a display device, such as in particularan input screen of the changing device. By means of this device specificvalues of the co-ordinate systems, in particular the X, Y and Z valuesof the co-ordinate systems, can be changed. In addition a further inputdevice, such as an input screen, which preferably interacts with aninput device of the blow moulding machine, can preferably be disposed onthe changing device.

Several possibilities are conceivable for removal and delivery of theblow mould devices.

Thus it would be conceivable that at the outset all blow mould devicesare removed from the individual mould supports, that is to say theindividual transforming stations, and fed into an empty magazine orstorage system. Then this storage system with the old moulds is replacedby a full storage system with new blow mould devices to be inserted.Then all new moulds are inserted into the blow mould supports. Thechange of the storage systems can take place for example by means oflift trucks or by means of turntables, for instance in the manner of apallet change in the case of machine tools. In this case for a completechange the blow mould support will advantageously carry out two completerevolutions.

In a further possible changing operation a magazine contains an emptyspace. In this case first of all a new mould from a mould location isplaced in this empty space. Then an old mould from the mould support isplaced into the said mould location. In a further step a new mould istransferred from the magazine into the mould support. Then a second newmould is placed in the empty space and so on, until the entire switch iscompleted. The interim storage in an empty space ensures that a specificblow mould device is again transferred at a specific storage location ora specific blow mould support. In this case advantageously the saidempty space is located spatially between the blow mould support and thestorage system and preferably on or in the storage system itself.

The removal of the blow mould device and/or the delivery of new blowmould devices advantageously takes place in a cycle control mode. Thismeans that the individual change of the blow mould device takes placewhile the transforming station is static. In this case the changingdevice may set down a specific blow mould device in a magazine, andduring this the transforming device itself can move further by onestation, that is to say the blow wheel rotates by one position. A radialdirection relative to the transport path is advantageously used forinsertion and removal of the blow mould device. As mentioned above, itis also possible to park or to set down the blow mould device in anintermediate station. For this purpose a vertical movement canpreferably be used.

In terms of the method it is possible for the gripping device of thechanging device to grip the blow mould device in positive engagement inorder to transport it or to remove it from the system. The grippingdevice of the changing device advantageously engages form-fit in theblow mould device.

In a further advantageous embodiment the removal and/or the setting downof the blow mould device takes place under path and/or force control andpreferably under both path and force control.

In the context of control it is possible for the changing device toapproach at least one defined reference point on the transformingstation or the receptacle or blow mould supports and/or preferably alsoat least one defined reference point on a storage location, such as forexample a magazine. In this way the said points can be transferred intothe controller of the changing device are being, so that the exactpositions of the mould holder or of the blow mould support and also ofthe magazine or the storage device can be ascertained. In this case itis preferably possible that the said reference points after each changeof a magazine device are approached or are also approached even in theevent of malfunctions, such as for example power failures, in order thusto be transferred into the controller.

In this case it is possible for the reference points thus ascertained tobe stored and/or compared with reference points which are stored in thecontroller or a storage device of the controller. If a discrepancyexceeding a predetermined value occurs between the ascertained referencepoint and the already stored reference points, a fault message or anotification can be generated.

In a further advantageous embodiment the changing device has an imagerecording device, such as for instance a camera or the like. With theaid of this camera device it is possible to detect the precise pickupand set-down points for the blow mould devices.

In this connection it is conceivable that the blow mould devices and/orthe blow mould support and/or the magazine device each contain anidentification in order to ensure co-ordination between the blow moulddevices and the respective blow station. In this way it can be ensuredthat a specific blow mould device which has been removed from a specifictransforming station is also associated again with the same transformingstation during a further change. Thus it would be possible that anindividual identifier is associated with each holding magazine.

These identifications may for example be bar codes, QR codes, RFID tagsand the like. Advantageously it is possible for this identification tobe retrieved contactlessly. Advantageously the identification or acharacteristic value for this identification is taken up into thecontrol device of the machine.

In a further method it is also conceivable that the respectiveidentifications are read in again after each change of the magazinedevice or also in the event of failures of the machine. In this way asecure co-ordination is ensured even under exceptional conditions.

A receiving device or a magazine for the blow mould devices is describedbelow. For a mould change this receiving device can be disposed at asuitable position, for instance beside the transforming equipment. Inthis case the magazine or receiving device can have insertion regions bymeans of which the blow mould devices can be placed into the magazine orthe receiving device. These insertion regions may be of conicalconstruction in order to facilitate secure insertion of the blow moulddevice. Advantageously in this case the blow mould device or the mouldset is introduced substantially vertically into the magazine.Particularly preferably the blow mould device can be placed intocylindrical openings in the magazine or the receiving device. Themagazine itself can be disposed—in particular by positive engagement—inthis receiving device.

In a preferred embodiment this magazine device may have elasticelements, in particular in the region of the cylindrical openings, forintroduction of the blow mould devices in order to be able to compensatefor tolerances.

In a further advantageous embodiment it would also be possible that, inthe regions in which the blow mould device comes into contact with thecylindrical openings of the magazine device, the magazine or thereceiving device and/or the blow mould device is equipped with insertionregions and in particular with tapered insertion regions.

In a further advantageous embodiment, as mentioned above, the magazineor receiving device has a plurality of openings to receive theindividual blow mould devices. These openings are advantageously ofcylindrical construction. Particularly preferably these openings in themagazine devices are made out of plastic at least in some areas.

In this case it is possible for these openings to be disposed in aplurality of rows and for example for two adjacent rows to be offsetwith respect to one another. In this way the packing density of the blowmould devices can be increased.

In a further advantageous embodiment the position of the blow moulddevice inside the receiving device is lower than the position of theblow mould device in the blow mould support. In this way the latter islowered during the dismantling of the blow mould device.

In a further advantageous embodiment the magazine has a polygonal andpreferably rectangular external contour, wherein the long side of thisexternal contour is preferably disposed substantially perpendicular toan imaginary radial connecting line between a centre point of the pitchcircle and the blow mould supports. In this way the magazine device canbe very easily reached by the changing device or an arm of the changingdevice.

The configuration of the blow mould device is described below. Thus itis conceivable that, for unlocking the blow mould devices on a mouldsupport or also a mould support shell or also during unlocking of a basepart of the blow mould device, the arrangement, that is to say inparticular the side part and the base part, are mechanically connectedto one another. However, a magnetic connection might also be considered.

Advantageously such a fixing mechanism which connects the individualblow mould parts to one another, is constructed so that this onlyexhibits or carries out a force in a tensile direction and has aspecific resilience radially radially with respect thereto, in order tocompensate for tolerances. A projection, a cam or the like, which can beengaged by an element of the gripping device or into which the grippingdevice can move, can advantageously be provided on the parts of the blowmould device, such as for instance the blow mould halves.

In a further advantageous embodiment the projections or cams joined to agripping device are advantageously disposed radially within the pitchcircle described by a centre point of a container. In this way it can beensured that also in the working operation these cams cannot come intocontact with brackets, for example an intake and discharge starwheel.

In a further advantageous embodiment it would also be possible thatbetween the two mould shells and a base mould of the blow mould devicethere is a positively engaged connection which prevents a rotation ofthe base mould relative to the side parts or mould shells. In additionit would also be possible that before the changing operation the basemould is mechanically connected to the mould halves.

In order to simplify a loading and unloading operation it would bepossible that during the loading and unloading (of the plasticcontainers) an axis of rotation of the blow mould device extendssubstantially parallel to the axis of the mould support or also to anaxis of rotation of the blow wheel.

In a further advantageous embodiment it would also be possible that aprotection region of the blow moulding machine is automaticallyseparated during production from a storage region of the blow moulds orblow mould devices. In this case such a separation can be carried out—inparticular automatically—at the start of a mould change operation.

Thus the protection regions can be modified so that during theproduction of the system or during the working operation a machineoperator can enter a region of the mould store. Thus it would beconceivable that for example an electromechanical unit ensures theposition of a transforming station relative to the changing device ineach case after the positioning of the blow wheel, preferably bypositive and/or form-fit engagement.

Furthermore it would also be conceivable that the robot places the blowmould device or the mould set from an intermediate position into themagazine, whereas the blow wheel moves onwards by a cycle or brings asubsequent transforming station into a changing position. In additionthe sequence of a blow mould device change could generally includeapproaching an intermediate station on which the blow mould device istemporarily parked or set down. In this case needs the holding devicedoes not have to be configured as a double gripper and nevertheless aco-ordination of the moulds in a storage device such as a magazine ispossible in a manner adapted to the station.

As already mentioned above, it may be advantageous if the openingmovements of the blow mould support and of the base in a changingposition for the blow mould device differ from those in operation. Thismay be advantageous for example in the case of a mould support controlwhich is not coupled. It would also be possible that a blow mouldsupport of the neighbouring station which is respectively leading ortrailing relative to the one in the blow mould device changing positionis likewise swiveled away in some regions in order to facilitate agreater opening angle for the transforming station located in thechanging position.

Furthermore it would be possible that a fixing mechanism for the mouldshells and the base moulds has progressive characteristic curve during aclamping sequence. At the start of such a clamping sequence a largestroke with a low force can take place in order to be able to bridge thegreatest possible distances during drawing in. Towards the end of theclamping sequence a high force is preferably implemented with only asmall stroke.

In a further advantageous method the changing position of the blowstation and/or the magazine and/or any intermediate position in whichthe blow mould device is temporarily positioned is located in apredetermined circumferential range of an effective radius of thechanging device, preferably in a range of 270° of the effective radius,preferably in a range of 220° of the effective radius and particularlypreferably in a range of 180° of the effective radius.

In a further advantageous method, when the blow mould device is removedfrom the stations and/or arranged on the blow mould support the changingdevice or the changing robot carries out a radial movement relative tothe pitch circle of the system. This may be a purely radial movement,but it would also be conceivable for it to be a movement with a radialcomponent.

In a further advantageous method, when the blow mould device is removedfrom the stations and/or arranged on the blow mould support the changingdevice or the changing robot carries out a substantially verticalmovement. “Substantially” is understood to mean that the direction ofmovement deviates from the exact vertical direction by no more than 20°,preferably by no more than 10° and particularly preferably by no morethan 5°.

Further advantages and embodiments are apparent from the appendeddrawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a representation of the system with illustrated changingdevice;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a further representation of the system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a further representation of the system shown in FIG. 2 in afurther operating position;

FIG. 6 shows a representation of a transforming station;

FIG. 7 shows a representation of a mould shell for a blow mould device;

FIG. 8 shows a representation of a changing device;

FIG. 9 shows a representation of a gripping device for gripping a blowmould device;

FIG. 10 shows a representation of a changing device with a blow moulddevice;

FIG. 11 shows a representation for illustration of possible positions ofthe changing device;

FIG. 12 shows a representation of a magazine with a blow mould device;

FIG. 13 shows a representation of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the representation shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows a representation of a user with a blow mould device;

FIG. 16 shows a representation of a user with a holding device; and

FIG. 17 shows a representation of a holding device.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system 1 for transformingplastic parisons into plastic containers. In this case the plasticparisons 10 are delivered to the individual transforming stations 8 andexpanded to form plastic containers 20. After this expansion the plasticcontainers are removed again from the system. For this purpose adelivery starwheel can be provided which delivers the plastic parisonsto the system 1 and also onto a discharge device, in particular likewisea transport starwheel, which discharges the finished containers from thesystem. The system 1 has a station support 12 on which a plurality oftransforming stations 8 are disposed. This station support may be forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, a blow wheel which is rotatable withrespect to an axis of rotation D (which here extends perpendicular tothe drawing plane and thus vertically). Each individual transformingstation has a respective blow mould device 14. This blow mould device 14is composed of two side parts and a base part. These blow mould devicescan be replaced according to the invention. In this case the blow moulddevices 14 are disposed on blow mould supports 16 arranged and can beremoved therefrom or disposed thereon.

The reference sign 40 identifies a changing device which serves toremove the blow mould devices from their blow mould supports or todispose the blow mould devices on the blow mould supports. The referencesign 6 identifies a base support on which the station support 12 isrotatably mounted. The changing device 40 is also disposed on oradjacent to the base support 6. Thus the changing device 40 can beintegrated in the system. The reference sign 18 identifies a housing,which at least partially surrounds the station support 12, but whichpreferably, as shown below, can also enclose or surround the changeoverdevice 40.

The reference sign W designates a changing position. As mentioned above,the blow mould devices are preferably replaced at a specific changingposition. This means that the transforming stations can be movedsuccessively into this changing position W by a rotation of the support12 and then at this changing position the old blow mould devices can beremoved and preferably also new blow mould devices can be delivered. Thereference sign R designates a radial direction. In this radial directionthe changing device or a gripping device of the changing device ispreferably delivered to the transforming stations or the blow moulddevices in order to change them.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of a system 1, which merelyshows a transforming device or transforming station 8. The stationsupport on which this is disposed is likewise not illustrated here.Furthermore the base support 6 can be seen, on which the changing device40 is disposed. This changing device 40 has a first swiveling arm 56 aswell as a second swiveling arm 54. By means of an articulation anddriving connection these two arms can be connected to one another so asto swivel.

The reference sign 52 designates a gripping device which serves in orderto grip and to transport the blow mould devices. This gripping device isin turn disposed so as to swivel on the second arm 54 and is preferablyalso rotatable. Thus overall the gripping device can swivel about atleast three, preferably about at least four axes in space. In additionit would also be possible, as illustrated by the rectangle shown by abroken line, that a plurality of changing devices are provided, whereinthese are in particular disposed in each case at least indirectly on thebase support 6. In this way the individual blow mould devices could bereplaced more quickly in a changing operation.

The reference sign 46 identifies schematically a detecting device whichdetects forces acting on the changing device 40 or the gripping device52 in order thus to switch off in an emergency. The systemadvantageously has a plurality of such detecting devices, whereinpreferably each one is associated with an individual driving devicewhich effects a movement of the changing device 40 or of the grippingdevice 52.

These detecting devices may for example be force measuring devices whichactually determine forces, torques and the like. However, it would alsobe possible that the forces are determined from parameters of therespective drive, for instance from flows or the like.

The reference sign B identifies a user who operates the system.Advantageously during operation of the changing device the user cannotmove in regions which conversely can be reached by the changing device40.

The reference sign 22 identifies a control device for controlling thechanging device. The reference sign 42 identifies a control device forcontrolling the transforming device. In this case these two controldevices can interact with one another, in particular for a changingoperation for replacement of the blow mould devices. In this case it ispossible in a normal working operation of the system for the changingdevice 40 to move into a rest position in which the changing deviceoccupies the least possible space.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the system shown in FIG. 2. It will berecognised here that the changing device 40 is likewise integrated intothe housing 18. In the state shown in FIG. 3 the arm 56 is just swiveledout, so that the gripping device 52 can just grip a blow mould device.

In addition a magazine device 70 is also illustrated which has aplurality of receiving points 72 for receiving the blow mould devices.In this case these blow mould devices can each be moved into thereceiving points or holes 72.

FIG. 4 shows a further representation of the system according to theinvention. It will be seen that here a wall 32 is provided whichseparates the user B from the changing device 40, so that the usercannot be injured. In addition further movable wall parts 34 can also beprovided, so that on the one hand the machine is more easily accessiblefor maintenance purposes, or on the other hand further changing devicescan also be provided, as also illustrated in FIG. 1.

The representation shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the representationshown in FIG. 3, but here the changing device 40 is in a differentoperating position. This may for example be a working operation in whichthe system transforms plastic parisons to form plastic containers. Itwill be recognised that a recess 18 a which also serves to completelyreceive the changing device 40 can be disposed in the housing 18. In thestate shown in FIG. 5 the individual arms of the changing device 40 canbe hinged inwards so that the changing device 40 occupies only a smallspace.

FIG. 6 shows a representation of a transforming station 8. The blowmould support 16 can be seen here which can have two blow mould supportparts 16 a, 16 b which can swiveled apart in order to open and to closethe blow mould device 14. Also for the changing operation the two blowmould support parts 16 a, 16 b can be swiveled apart, in order to beable to remove the blow mould device 14.

The reference sign 82 designates as a whole a locking device which inthe working operation locks the two blow mould support parts 16 a and 16b to one another, so that even with greater pressures they do not swivelapart. The reference numeral 66 relates to a projection which in eachcase is disposed on the two side parts of the blow mould device 14. Thisprojection is designed to be so stable that the entire blow mould device14 can be supported on this projection. In this case the gripping deviceor a component of the gripping device can engage behind this projection66, so that the gripping device 52 can support the blow mould device bymeans of this projection. By means of holding of the respective sideparts of the blow mould device on the projections 66 the blow moulddevice in its entirety can also be held together.

FIG. 7 designates a blow mould support shell. This blow mould supportshell 15 can be disposed on the blow mould support 16 and in turn canitself receive the blow mould device or parts of the blow mould device.In this case delivery and discharge elements 15 a can be provided, inorder to deliver media, such as for example temperature control media,to the blow mould shell 15.

FIG. 8 shows a further representation of the changing device 40. Thisshows the first arm 56 which can be swiveled with respect to a firstaxis A1. In addition, however, this arm 56 is also rotatable withrespect to a second axis A2. A second arm 54 is disposed on this firstarm 56 and in this case the arm 54 can swivel with respect to an axis A3relative to the first arm 56. Here the two axes A1 and A3 are parallelto one another. However, these axes can also be disposed obliquely orskew relative to one another. In addition, however, the second arm 54 isalso rotatable with respect to a fourth axis A4.

In order to achieve this respective swiveling and rotary movement withrespect to the individual axes and also with respect to the further axesto be described, in each case driving devices, such as in particular,but not exclusively, electric motor-powered drive units can be provided.In addition, however, it would also be conceivable to use pneumaticand/or hydraulic drive units. A gripping device 52 which serves forgripping the blow mould device is provided on the second arm 54. In thiscase this gripping element can swivel with respect to an axis A5relative to the arm 54. This axis A5 may be perpendicular to the axis A3and/or also perpendicular to the axis A4. In addition the grippingdevice is disposed on the arm 54 via a support 58. The gripping deviceitself can in turn be rotatable relative to this support 58 with respectto an axis A6.

By means of this plurality of movements the blow mould devices 14 can beremoved from the individual transforming stations and placed onto asupport 74 which is shown here as a Europallet. However it would also bepossible to introduce the blow mould devices 14 directly into openingsprovided in a magazine.

In this case the distance between the magazine device or the pallet 74and the changing device 40 can be between 1 metre and 2 metres. Also acorresponding radius of action of the changing device may be in theregion of 1.5 metre.

FIG. 9 shows a detail of the changing device 40 or the gripping device52 thereof. This gripping device may have a guide element 62 which canbe guided over a corresponding surface of the blow mould device. Inaddition projections 64 a, 64 b can also be provided which serve forcentring the changing device 40 or precisely the gripping devicerelative to the transforming station. The reference sign 63 relates to arecess which is disposed in the guide element 62 and can engage behindthe projections for changing the blow mould device. Thus the guideelement 62 also serves for supporting the blow mould device 14.

FIG. 10 shows a view of the changing device with a blow mould device 14disposed thereon. It will be seen that the gripping arm 52 here engagesin two projections 66 which are disposed on the blow mould device 14 andpresses these together, so that in this way the blow mould device isheld together. Thus the projections 66 also shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 6which are disposed on the blow mould device 14 serve to hold it togetherduring transport. Thus advantageously above the blow mould device 14 thegripping device 52 engages in elements thereof in order to hold it. Thistype of engagement in the blow mould device is suitable in a specialmanner since the blow mould device, as is also shown in FIG. 6, projectsbeyond its support and in this way can also be gripped in a closed stateof the blow mould support 16. Thus it is possible for the changingdevice or the robot initially to grip the blow mould device 14 by meansof the projections 66 thereof and only then the blow mould support isopened. In this way it can be ensured that the blow mould device is heldsecurely at any time.

FIG. 11 shows a further representation of the present invention. Here aplurality of changing devices 40 a-40 d are provided, by which in eachcase elements of the system can be changed. In this case it would bepossible for example for two of the changing devices (40 a, 40 b) to beprovided, in order to change blow mould devices 14, but also for furtherchanging devices to be provided which replace other elements such as forexample heating mandrels which are located in a kiln 50 for heating theplastic parisons (the changing device 40 d). In addition, for exampleholding elements, such as transfer tongs, which transport the plasticparisons after heating to the transforming device 1, can be changed bymeans of the changing device 40 c.

FIG. 12 shows a receiving device such as a magazine to receive the blowmould devices 14. This may contain a support plate 75 which has aplurality of openings 77. By means of supports 78 this plate 75 can bearranged on a base support 79, wherein this base support 79 in turn hasopenings 79 a or holes to receive the blow mould devices. Advantageouslythis magazine has the same dimensions as a so-called Europallet and thuspreferably dimensions in a range of 1200×800 mm. In this case theindividual openings 79 a are, as shown in FIG. 12, disposed in rows andoffset from one another, so that the greatest possible number of blowmould devices can be introduced into the pallet.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show another embodiment of a system of the type set outabove. In this embodiment the changing device 40 is configured as aso-called manipulator which can be operated by a user B. Here too thismanipulator 40 has a gripping device 52 which serves for holding theblow mould device 14. This gripping device 52 is disposed on an arm 54and this arm in turn is disposed on an arm 56. The reference sign 57identifies a further arm on which the arm 65 is disposed.

For changing the blow mould devices the user can bring the grippingdevice 52 to the transforming device 8 and connect it to the blow moulddevice. Then the user B can move the blow mould device 14 by means ofthe changing device 40 to the magazine and store it there.

FIG. 15 shows a representation of a user carrying a blow mould device14. In this case the reference signs 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c designate theindividual components of the blow mould device, namely the side partsthereof as well as the base part (14 c). The reference sign 90identifies a holding device which serves for holding the blow moulddevice. This holding device 90 may be configured in such a way that onthe one hand it can be connected to a changing device, but on the otherhand however it can also be held by the user B.

FIG. 16 shows a user B who is only holding the holding device 90. FIG.17 shows a detail of a holding device 90. In this case this holdingdevice 90 has a gripping element 98 by means of which it can be grippedby a user B. In addition the holding device 90 again has the tworecesses in which in the corresponding projections on the blow moulddevice can engage. The reference numeral 96 identifies a lever elementby means of which an engagement in the blow mould device is produced orreleased. In this case it is possible for a support plate 92 to bedisplaced in response to a movement of this lever element in order tofree or block the openings 93.

In this way the user can grip the blow mould device 14 by means of theholding device 90, can move it to the magazine 70 and there can releasethe engagement again after setting down the blow mould device.

The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed inthe application documents as essential to the invention in so far asthey are individually or in combination novel over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 system/transforming device    -   6 base support    -   8 transforming stations    -   10 plastic parisons    -   12 station support    -   14 blow mould device    -   14 a, b, c components of the blow mould device    -   15 blow mould shell    -   15 a delivery and discharge element for temperature control        medium    -   16 blow mould support    -   16 b blow mould part    -   18 housing    -   18 a recess    -   20 plastic containers    -   22 control device for controlling the changing device    -   32 wall    -   34 wall parts    -   40 changing device    -   40 a-40 d changing device    -   42 control device for controlling the transforming device    -   46 detecting device    -   50 kiln    -   52 gripping device    -   54 second swiveling arm    -   56 first swiveling arm    -   57 third swiveling arm    -   58 support    -   62 guide element    -   63 recess    -   64 a, 64 b projections    -   66 projections    -   70 magazine device    -   72 holes    -   74 support/pallet    -   75 support plate    -   77 openings    -   78 support    -   79 base support    -   79 a openings/holes    -   82 locking device    -   90 holding arrangement    -   92 support plate    -   93 recess    -   96 lever element    -   98 gripping element    -   D axis of rotation    -   B user    -   A1-A6 axes    -   W changing position    -   R radial direction

1. A system for transforming plastic parisons to plastic containers witha transport device which transports the plastic parisons along apredetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movablestation support disposed at least indirectly on a stationary basesupport on which a plurality of transforming stations is disposed,wherein these transforming stations each have blow mould devices whicheach form cavities within which the plastic parisons can be transformedinto the plastic containers and these blow mould devices are eachdisposed on blow mould supports, wherein the system has a changingdevice which is suitable and intended in order, in a changing mode ofthe system, at least to remove the blow mould devices from their blowmould supports and/or to dispose blow mould devices on the blow mouldsupports, and wherein, during a further mode of operation which differsfrom the changing mode, this changing device is suitable and intendedfor carrying out a treatment operation on at least one working elementintended for the system.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein thechanging device has a gripping device for gripping the blow moulddevice, wherein this gripping device is movable in at least twodifferent directions.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein thechanging device has at least one treatment device for treating theworking element.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the furthermode of operation is a production mode of the system.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the treatment operation is selected fromthe group consisting of a cleaning operation, a maintenance operation, asterilising operation, and a combination thereof.
 6. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the working element is selected from thegroup consisting of a blow mould, a gripping element, a holding mandrelfor holding the containers, a stretching rod, a blow moulding die, and afilling valves.
 7. The system according to claim 3, wherein thetreatment device is replaced by the gripping device.
 8. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the gripping device is disposed on an armwhich can swivel about at least one predetermined swivel axis (A3, A4).9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system has a housingwhich at least partially surrounds at least the station support and theblow mould devices and the changing device is disposed outside thishousing.
 10. A method for operating a transforming device fortransforming plastic parisons to plastic containers, wherein in aworking operation of the system the plastic parisons are transported bya plurality of transforming stations along a predetermined transportpath and are expanded by application of a flowable medium to form theplastic containers, wherein for expanding the plastic parisons blowmould devices are used, in the interior of which the plastic parisonsare expanded to form the plastic containers, wherein in a changing modeat least one of the blow mould devices of the system is removed and/orone of the blow mould devices is disposed on a blow mould support of thesystem, wherein for changing the blow mould devices a changing device isused which has a gripping device for gripping the blow mould device, andwherein in a further mode of operation this changing device carries outa further treatment operation.